Improvement im dip-pipes of qas-works



A. rnumsou,

Dip-Pipe for Gas-Works.

Patentgd March23, 1875.

ITp/Eq kn? THE GRAPH"; CO.PHOTDrLlTH.39&4-'l PARK PLAGE,N.Y.

ALEXANDER THOMSON, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN DlP-PiPES OFGAS WORKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 161,295, dated March23, 1875; application filed January 13, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER THoMsoN, of the city and county ofWorcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Valve Devices for the Hydraulic Dip'Pipes ofGas- Works; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a partof this specification, and inwhich- Figure 1 represents a portion of a hydraulic main, showing a sideview of a dip-pipe with my improved valve device applied thereto. Fig. 2represents a central vertical section of the same at line X X, Fig. 1.Fig. 3 represents a horizontal section of the dip-pipe at line W W, Fig.l; and Fig. 4 represents, upon a somewhat enlarged scale, a sectionsimilar to Fig. 2 of the water-seal cup.

The object of this invention is to provide a valve device for thedip-pipes of gas-works, which, while embracing the advantages of thecombined water-seal and hand-valve, shall be cheaper of construction,more readily applicable to the works, and less subject to derangementthan those heretofore in use to this end my invention consists in animproved valve device, constructed as set forth, and arranged on theexterior of the dip-pipe and within the hydraulic main also in thepeculiar construction of the water-seal cup, and in combination andrelative arrangement of the valve-operating mechanism, ashereinafterdescribed; also, to the peculiar construction of thewater-seal cup or valve, and to the combination and relative arrangementof the gate-valve, and mechanism for operating the same, as hereinafterdescribed.

In the drawings, the part marked A represents a portion of the hydraulicmain 5 and B indicates the dip-pipe through which the gas passes on itsway from the retort to the main A. The retort and its stand-pipe may beof ordinary construction, the top of the standpipe being connected withthe dip-pipe B by an arched bridge-pipe secured to the top flange b bybolts or screws. The retorts, stand-pipes, and bridge-pipes are notshown in the drawings, but their position and arrangement in relation tothe hydraulic main A may be the same as usual. My improved valvemechanism I arrange upon the exterior lower portion of the dip-pipe Bwithin the hydraulic main A, at the position shown. 0 indicates thewater-seal cup and its support-plate; and D indicates the flat-facedplate or seat for the gate or slide valves. Both of these plates arefitted to the exterior curved surface of the dip-pipe B, and secured inposition by being clamped around said pipe by the bolts E E, which passthrough the ear-pieces 0 c of the plates, and are provided with nuts aat their ends, for tightening and drawing'the plates against the pipe.Packing of lead or other material may be used between the'plates andsurface of the pipe B when required. Openin gs are formed through thesides of the dippipe and plates G D for the passage of the gas, whilethe lower end of the dip-pipe is closed only by the water within thehydraulic main A, which stands at the level indicated by the line F onthe drawings. G indicates the slide or gate, which is slotted andsecured to the face of the plate D by bolts or screws d, so as to bemovable up and down for opening and closing the passage from theinterior of the pipe B to the main A. H indicates the gate-rod, hookedto the upper end of the gate G, and extending up through the flange e tothe exterior of the main A, and having its upper end connected with aspring, I, and linked to the rear end of an actuating-lever, K,fulcrumed to a suitable eye-piece, L, and provided with a hand-rod, M,depending from its front end to a positionwhere it can be con venientlyreached by the operator. Small collars f are fixed on the rod H, whichserve as stops when said rod is raised or depressed to operate the gateG, and with a slight deposit of tar on their surfaces, also serve toclose the opening around the rod H, and thus obviate the need of astuffing-box. The spring I serves to hold the gate Gr closed, exceptwhen drawn up by the lever K, and to quickly close the gate when thelever is released. The water-seal cup 0 is made with an outer lip,

m, slightly higher than its inner lip a, while ing through which the gaspasses being above the lips m n, and 'beneath the partition 0. \Vhen theparts are in proper working position the edge of the outer lip m is justabove the level F of the water in the hydraulic main A, and the edge ofthe inner lip n is just below the surface of the water, the cup beingfilled. When the pressure of the gas within the retort exceeds thepressure in the hydraulic main A, the water in the end of the dippipe Bis depressed below the top edge of the lip n, (see line 7b,) and thewater within the cup is forced out over the outer lip m, leaving an openpassage for the gas to pass out freely beneath the partition 0, the lipon preventing the water from flowin g back into the cup. When thepressure in the retort is sufficiently reduced to permit the water torise in the end of the dip-pipe B to the level IF, it flows over the lipn, and by filling the cup 0 forms a seal or closes the passage. It-willthus be seen that the gas is allowed to pass into the hydraulic main Awith a very slight excess of pressure in the retort, but that thepassage is immediately closed to any backward pressure, so that in caseof any accident to the retort, as bursting or removing the lid while inaction, the backward escape of gas is prevented. The hand-gate G can beused when desired, or while the retort is new and strong, and there isbut little liability of accident, while with old and weakened retorts,or when employing ignorant operatives, the waterseal can be dependedupon. The several parts of the valve mechanism are of such size thatthey can be passed through the manholes in the ordinary hydraulic mains,and can be applied to dip-pipes already in use, if desired. The valvesbeing arranged upon the exterior of the dip-pipe are not liable tobecome clogged with the pitch or gum which deposits upon the interior ofsaid pipe, consequently the mechanism operates freely, and the works areless subject to accident from the failure of the valves or carelessnessof operatives. The water-seal cup may be formed upon the slide or gateG, if desired, or the cup-plate may be arranged to slide as a gate uponthe surface of the dip-pipe B, or, it'preferred, the gate and water sealcan be employed in dependently. I prefer, however, the construction andarrangement herein shown, as the parts can be cheaply made and appliedto dip-pipes now in use at a comparatively small cost.

Having described my improved valve mechanism or dip-pipe attachment,what I claim therein as new, and of my invention, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the dip-pipe B, of the water-seal cup 0,constructed with an outer lip, m, inner lip 42, and partition 0,arranged for operation substantially as herein set forth.

2. The combination, with the dippipe B, of a sliding gate-valve, G,arranged upon the exterior of said dip-pipe, and within the hydraulicmain, substantially as herein set forth.

3. The combination, with the dip-pipe B, of the water-seal cup 0, gateG, gate-rod H having collars f, lever K, and spring I, all constructedand arranged for operation substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

ALEXANDER THOMSON.

Witnesses OHAs. H. BU'RLEIGH, OHAs. K. HARDY.

